1999 Polaris Sportsman 325 will not start without starting fluid spray

[Hunnter9]

Anyone know if I need a fuel pump? I spray carb cleaner into throat and it starts till it burns it off. Last week it took me a long time to start the same way. I got it running and it ran fine. Now it is doing the same thing.

[Ajmboy]

Is this fuel injected or carb? Sounds to me like your choke is either not working or something else with the carb.

* Topic moved to Polaris ATV forum.

[Hunnter9]

It has a carb. I am thinking maybe fuel pump?

[Cjames58]

carb is probably dirty. it is the most common cause for no start on these 

[Dtp]

You probably used to much and screwed up the motor

[Dave Short]

I'm assuming when you said it ran fine when it did start, that it REALLY does...consistent idle, no bogs, runs out well. That being said, I would not immediately go to the carb. If it were in my shop, I'd check cranking spark energy, check cranking pressure, adjust valves, and recheck cranking pressure after adjusting valves. 

 

Dr. Dave

[Hunnter9]

it ended up being air trapped in fuel lines to and from pump. I had forgotten I had put the valve on reserve and it ran dry. Even switching back to a full tank, it needed fuel directly in throttle or fill the tubes at the pump. I took a water bottle and put a small hole in it and kept squirting till the fuel lines refilled with gas.

[Dave Short]

Glad it turned out to be easy. Even after 42 years in the industry,  I need a reminder periodically to check easy things first.

[Geoff Jones]

Check your vent hose see if it's clogged

[Ajmboy]

On 10/3/2018 at 4:20 PM, Hunnter9 said:

it ended up being air trapped in fuel lines to and from pump. I had forgotten I had put the valve on reserve and it ran dry. Even switching back to a full tank, it needed fuel directly in throttle or fill the tubes at the pump. I took a water bottle and put a small hole in it and kept squirting till the fuel lines refilled with gas.

Glad you got it squared away!